Desloge plans for growth with outer road

DESLOGE – In the not so distant future, the City of Desloge could have an outer road that would stretch from Halter Road to the junction of Highway 8 and Highway 67.

&#8220We are discussing the option of entering into an innovative financing agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to fund the project,” said Desloge Mayor David Kater. When the project is completed, it will take traffic off of Highway 67 and will provide location opportunities for business growth. Eventually it will connect with the Park Hills Outer Road.”

The estimated cost for the project is $4,027,619.

&#8220Sen. Jim Talent’s office has gotten the city $1,732,500 in federal money to put toward the project,” Kater said. &#8220The remaining balance would then be split between Desloge and MoDOT. Each share would be $1,147,560.”

Kater said because the outer road would fall in the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) area, that TIF money could be used to fund Desloge’s portion.

Desloge City Administrator Eric Wiederhold said the next steps for the city will be to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with MoDOT for professional services and to hire a firm to provide the engineering services for the road.

&#8220We are all trying to push for construction in 2007,” Wiederhold said. &#8220This will be a good project for the community. For every dollar that we spend, we are getting $3 in federal or state money.”

The Desloge Board of Aldermen will be discussing the project during a special meeting beginning at 6 o’clock tonight.